Are you intrigued by some of the art and how it is created? Maybe you have an idea of your own that you think you might like to try…. or perhaps you are just curious. A needle felting class might be something you might like to try. Please check the schedule and the locations below and see if a class might work for you. We tend to have alot of fun in class and sometimes students see projects go in directions they never thought possible. Many of the students feel that they are not all that artistic, but no one said you had to be ….just come and enjoy learning needle felting and enjoy the camaraderie. Hope to see you soon!!! If you would like to receive an email with the schedule as I update it please contact me at irene@ireneheckel.com and ask to be added to my email list.
Schedule Of Needle Felting Classes
I am constantly adding new classes. Checkout my current list of classes below to see which of our classes interest you.
Stab & Gab sessions are currently offered on Zoom, once a week on Thursdays at 12 noon. For more details or to join the sessions, please contact me at irene@ireneheckel.com to add you to the list so that you will get the invite to our Zoom session.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists
The location of classes will be at Historic Johnson Farm (see address below). If you wish to register for classes at this location, please visit the website for Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists (www.hwfanc.org) and check under classes and calendar for dates and times, etc. You will need to fill out the class sign up form (under the drop down for classes) and follow the instructions on the form. The class fee is listed … materials fee is extra (if you are a member of HWFA you get a discount – if you intend to take a few classes you may be interested in joining – inquire on the website) Any questions, please contact them. Here is the link to the class on their website:
www.hwfanc.org/classes
Needle Felt A Puffin
Friday August 14th, 2026
9:30am – 2:30pm
Maximum number of students: 10
Prerequisites: just want to have fun
Class Description: Needle Felt an Adorable Puffin is part of our Bird Series
The bird subject for this class will be the cute and colorful Puffin. The class is suitable for beginners as well as students with some experience. We will be creating this charming bird using newly learned needle-felting skills or perhaps adding to the skills you already have! Since he has some colorful markings on his face, we will be honing our detail skills to add the colors in proportion to the size of his face. Come and relax, learn, create and have fun … what could be better!
Fee: Payable by cash, check or credit card
$50.00 for HWFA members (must have completed orientation at time of registration)
$60.00 for non-HWFA members
Materials fee: $20 payable in cash to teacher on day of class
Materials provided by instructor: All materials, including legs, to complete the project will be included in your materials fee
Supplies brought by students: snacks & drinks
Registration and Payment: See registration information on the class page link here
Address: HWFA
3346 Haywood Rd
Hendersonville, NC 28791
Needle Felt a 6″ Pumpkin
Thursday Sep 10, 2026
9:30am – 2:30pm
Maximum number of students: 10
Prerequisites: None
Class Description: Create a pumpkin that you can use each fall for your table to greet the fall season. We will be starting with a core ball approximately 6” in diameter then adding our fall pumpkin colors to it. You can go orange, green or off-white for your pumpkin and add a natural stem. You can add leaves, vines and even a creative base to place your pumpkin on. You can make your pumpkin as sedate or ornate as you want.
Fee: Payable by cash, check or credit card
$50.00 for HWFA members (must have completed orientation at time of registration)
$60.00 for non-HWFA members
Materials fee: $10 payable in cash to teacher first day of class
Materials provided by instructor: All materials needed to complete the project will be provided.
Supplies brought by students: snacks/lunch and drinks
Registration and payment: See registration information on the class page here
HWFA (Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists)
3346 Haywood Road
Hendersonville, NC 28791
Needle Felting Finishing & Techniques Class
Friday September 18th, 2026
11am – 1pm
Class Description: Have you ever wondered about or left your needle felting class having more questions than when you started? Well … this is the class for you! We are going to try and answer some of your questions regarding better execution of your needle felting art and whatever else you can think of regarding the projects that you have either done or are contemplating.
We will discuss techniques, equipment, fiber, etc. The only requirement for this class is that each student must bring a question regarding their needle felting. Please write down the question so you make sure that it is answered. All questions lead to answers… and more questions! If you would like, you can bring a piece that you have done and are still trying to complete and we can all benefit from solving some of the issues you might be having.
I will be bringing some work in progress to try and use to answer your questions without disturbing your work. We will also be building towards a continued Study Group that will be available for you to bring works in progress (WIP) or unfinished works in progress (UFO) that we can work on together to try and finish them: or, if you have a new idea floating around, we can try and get you started.
Note: This is a lecture and Q&A session. You will not be completing a project in this class.
Fee: Payable by cash, check or credit card
$25.00 for HWFA members (must have completed orientation at time of registration)
$35.00 for non-HWFA members
Instructor: Irene Heckel-Volpe
Prerequisites: Bring a written question about your needle felting
Maximum number of students: 12
Materials provided by instructor: Instructor will provide educational materials
Materials fee: None
Materials brought by student: Snack and drink
Registration and Payment: See registration and payment information on the class page here
Additional information for ALL CLASSES at this location: Park at the Historic Johnson Farm Interpretive Center and walk to the Boarding House. Handicapped parking is available at the Boarding House. Please note, as a historic building, the Boarding House is not handicapped accessible.
Classes At Other Locations
Purple Crayon – Asheville, NC
Needle Felt Painting: Somebody’s Watching Me!
Friday & Saturday October 2nd & 3rd, 2026
1pm – 5pm both days
If you spend any time in our beautiful mountains, it’s not uncommon to feel like somebody’s watching you—and they just might be! Fortunately, the “somebodies” are usually bears, not humans, and our curious friends are just checking us out. In this fun, 8-hour class, join fiber artist Irene Heckel-Volpe as she teaches you how to create a beautiful needle felt painting of these special moments.
You’ll begin with a sheet of partially felted wool and a simple photo of a curious bear. Then, you’ll attempt to recreate the picture by “painting it” in fiber—using your creative license, of course! You’ll learn how to shade the bear by using carders/brushes to blend colors of fiber and show texture and depth by using subtle increases and decreases in colors. Then, you’ll give your bear personality by working on details: eyelids, ears, and, especially, eyes.
You’ll leave the class with a beautiful 8”x10” painting that can be matted with an 11 x 14 mat and framed.
Note: Minimal time will be spent reviewing needle felting basics. While confident beginners may participate, some experience with needle felting is preferred.
Workshop Fee: $149 (Members), $165 (Non-Members)
Supplies Fee: $20 (To be collected day of workshop; cash or check only)
Instructor: Irene Heckel-Volpe
Skill Level: Confident Beginner to Intermediate
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Prefelt bear template, wool roving, felting needles, felting pad
Supplies Students Should Bring: All materials provided.
To register for class, please go to Purple Crayon’s website at: PurpleCrayonAVL
for more information.
_______________________________________________________________________
Blue Ridge Fiber Festival – Sparta NC
June 4th & 5th, 2027
The first annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest was held in Sparta, North Carolina on June 2 and 3, 2018. This area of northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia is deeply steeped in the tradition of the fiber arts. Set among the mountains, just a few miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sparta offers a small town quaintness, not far from bigger cities and a more metropolis-like atmosphere.
The event is held at the Higgins Fairgrounds in Sparta, NC.
Admission is free!
They will have classes, demonstrations and events galore! Plus lots of great vendors for your shopping pleasure.
They welcome volunteers, and are always happy to receive suggestions for classes or items to be included in the festival.
For information go to their website at: blueridgefiberfest.com or Email: blueridgefiberfest@gmail.com
For information on my classes there ( I will be teaching 2 classes): blueridgefiberfest.com/felting-classes
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Handweavers Guild Of America – Convergence 2026
August 12th – 16th, 2026
Sheraton in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Follow the link to get more info on this biannual event! Convergence 2026
To get info on my session at Convergence here is the link.
Experience the unmatched beauty of New Orleans—where history, music, food, and celebration come together like nowhere else in the United States. From the lively sounds of jazz in the French Quarter to stunning Creole architecture, mouthwatering cuisine, and world-famous festivals, this city captivates at every turn. Whether you’re strolling under the oak trees, savoring beignets, or dancing in a second line parade, there’s no place quite like NOLA.
New Orleans’ award-winning airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport (MSY), currently hosts 15 airlines, serving over 50 nonstop destinations.
The New Orleans Streetcar offers easy transportation to explore many of New Orleans’ popular districts and businesses.
I will be teaching a class at this wonderful event for fiber enthusiasts! There is so much info on this event! Please click on the various links to find out more about this fiber spectacular!
Needle Felt a Sheep Using a Wire Armature (1W-U110)
Irene Heckel-Volpe
1-Day Workshop
We’re paying respect to one of our fiber sources by needle felting a sheep using a wire armature! Great for beginners or a more experienced student who has not constructed or used a wire armature before. We will be using floral wire for the armature and learn to wrap fiber around the armature we create. Then adding locks to enhance the look of the sheep, along with eyes. Good start to learning how to use the armature to create a more lifelike critter.
Get a sneak peek of this session! Watch the Session Spotlight Video. My segment of this video, which features a few of the
session leaders, is towards the end of the video.
Required Equipment: None
Prerequisite Skills: No prerequisite experience required
Registration Fee: $153 with CVP or $205 without
Materials Fee: $10
Skill Level: Beginner (no advanced knowledge or skills)
How to Register:
- Click here to Join the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. (HGA) if you are not already a member (you must hold an active Student, Individual, Household, or Professional artist membership)
- Click here to purchase a Convergence® Value Package (CVP) if you want to receive the discounted registration fee (make sure you receive the confirmation email)
- Click here to Register for the Session
More information about the Convergence® conference is available on the HGA website, including details about all sessions and leaders.
Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance – Atlanta, GA
Needle Felting Wizards, Hobbits and Elves
FENCE (Foothills Equestrian and Nature Center)
FENCE (Foothills Equestrian and Nature Center) in Tryon – Foothills Equestrian Nature Center 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC 828-859-9021
WORKING ON NEW CLASSES FOR 2026 – CHECK BACK SOON!
_____________________________________________________
Tryon Arts and Crafts School
Tryon Arts and Crafts School – 373 Harmon Field Road, in Tryon, NC 828.859-8323
Working on new classes
_____________________________________________________________________________
Cabbarus Art Guild
No Classes scheduled at this time
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
